Replacement curtain for convertible tops



April 25, 1961 D. LIEBERMAN ETAL 2,931,564

REPLACEMENT CURTAIN FOR CONVERTIBLE TOPS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 4, 1959 FIG.

FIG. 4.

INVENTORS D, Lieberman W D. Roth ATTORNEYS April 25, 1961 D. LIEBERMAN ETAL 2,981,564

REPLACEMENT CURTAIN FOR CONVERTIBLE TOPS Filed Nov. 4, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS D, Lieberman W D. Roth ATTORNEYS REPLACEMENT CUR "II(l%lI lgI FOR CONVERTIBLE Dolores Lieberman, 1329 Whittier Place NW., Washington, D.C., and William D. Roth, 4805 th Road N., Arlington, Va., assignors of one-third to Moore and Hall, Washington, D.C.

Filed Nov. 4, 1959, Ser. No. 850,839

6 Claims. or. 296-145) The present invention relates to improved rear curtains or plastic window structures for use on convertible automobiles; and is more particularly concerned with an improved structure of replacement top curtain adapted to be manufactured and installed more, quickly and at less expense than is possible by structures utilized heretofore.

Tops for convertible automobiles, as presently installed, normally comprise a plurality of interconnected fabric sections (the word fabric being intended andemployed hereinafter to include various plastic materials, e,g. vinyl). These sections commonly comprise a pairof elongated so-called side quarter sections interconnected to one another at the upper edges thereof by a relatively wide section of material extending across the uppermost portion of the car and normally termed the deck. The deck extends between the side quarters and from a position adjacent the windshield of the automobile rearwardly to a position adjacent the rear portion of the automobile, being spaced from the beltline or belt rail of the car the rear by a relatively wide rectangular opening normally adapted to receive a rear window or curtain.

The curtain itself normally comprises, a rectangular fabric section termed the valance, stitched at the sides thereof to the rear portions of the side quarters, normally tacked at its lower edge to the bodyline of the car, and

, 2,981,564 Patented Apr. 25, 1961 "ice and requires further that the new valance be stitched or otherwise attached along its side to the adjacent edges of the side quarters. When the entire valance is not replaced, but the curtain and/or zipper alone is replaced, it is often required that the old relatively long curved (actually U-shaped) zipper be removed and a new zipper stitched or otherwise installed in the existing valance.

,In either case, extensive labor is required to etfect'the replacement curtain installation; and in each case the replacement utilizes a relatively long curved zipper which is fairly expensive, and difiicult to install. Thus, the

expense and time required to replace curtains by known techniques and structures, often approaches th e expense and time required to replace the entire top fabric; wherefore, convertible top owners, faced with the problem of replacing a curtain may, for reasons of expense alone, forego the replacement or, in the alternative, scrap an entire convertible top fabric, notwithstanding the fact that the remainder of the fabric may still beentirely usable.

normally tacked or otherwise attached to the remainder tice, however, it has been'found that one of the most vulnerable portions of such tops from the point of view of wear and damage, is the rear curtain. In particular, the aforementioned zipper tends to break or otherwise pull loose from the valance; the plastic material comprising the curtain tends to discolor, become fogged, or cracked, and the rear curtain portion of the cartends to otherwise deteriorate at times when'the remainder of the top may well have an appreciable life. Convertible automobile owners accordingly often desired to replace the rear curtainof a convertible top without replacing the remainder of the top fabric.

When the curtain in a replacement top fabric is re- ,placed by presently employed techniques, the entire -vala.nce maybe removed and anew valance and associated curtain and zipper can be substituted therefor.

Such a: procedure is relatively expensive and time-consuming since it requires that the newlyinstalled valance ,be tacked (along its. lower, edge to the beltline of the, car,

ployed in curtains heretofore.

The present invention recognizes the fact thatone of the most vulnerable portions of a convertible top fabric requiring possibly most frequent replacement is the curtain; and the invention is particularly concerned with a novel structure of replacement top curtain adapted to be installed in a fairly short time and adapted to be manufactured at relatively little cost, wherefore a convertible top owner, or trimmers may replace the curtain quickly and inexpensively without affecting other portions of thetop fabric which may still have a usable life.

It is. accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved replacement top curtain for use in the top structures of convertible automobiles.

a 6 further object of the present inventionlresides i the provision of a replacement top curtain structure utilizing a relatively inexpensive straight zipper in place of the more expensive ,curved zippers conventionally employed inlcurtains heretofore.

A still further object of. the present invention resides in the provision of a replacement top curtain for use in convertibleautornobiles adapted to employ studs or snap fasteners already existing on the automobile for fastening a portion of the curtain to the automobile.

Still another object of the present invention resides in theprovision of a replacement curtain having portions adapted to be permanently attached to the car and other portions adapted to be removably attached to the car and to portions of the adjacent top fabric wherebysaid curtain may be installed, opened, closed, and, otherwise employed as may be desired.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a replacement top curtain having unitary portions thereof adapted to removably engage adjacent portions of the automobile and top fabric to render the rear portion of the automobile employing saidcurtain weather-tight. i

*It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved replacement top curtain for use in the top structures of convertible automobiles. n A 'further object of thepresent invention resides in the provision of a replacement top curtain adapted to be installed more quickly than is possible with curtain structures known at the present time.

further object of the present invention resides in a the provision of a replacement top curtain structureutilizing a relatively inexpensive straight zipper in place of the more expensive curvedzippers conventienaily em- A still further object of the present invention resides Still another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a replacement curtain having portions adapted to be permanently attached to the car and other portions adapted to be removably attached to the car and to portions of the adjacent top fabric whereby said curtain maybe installed, opened, closed, and otherwise employed as may be desired.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a replacement top curtain having unitary portions thereof adapted to removably engage adjacent portions of the automobile and top fabric to render the rear portion of the automobile employing said curtain Weathertight.

The foregoing objects and advantages are achieved in accordance with the present invention by an improved form of replacement top curtain comprising in essence a valance of substantially rectangular shape adapted to overlie a valance already present in the existing convertible top fabric, or to be positioned in place of and substituted for a pre-existing valance. The valance portion of the replacement curtain comprising the present invention includes a large clear plastic insert stitched therein and forming a conventional window structure; and the uppermost portion of said valance is removably attached by an elongated substantially straight zipper to an arcuate flap adapted to be tacked to a rearwardly disposed transversely extending bow of the folding top structure. The lower portion of the valance is provided with a plurality of snap fasteners adapted to removably engage boot studs already existing on the automobile, such boot studs being conventionallyprovided for retaining a boot cover adapted to close and otherwise conceal a recess well in the convertible automobile when the folding top is in its lowered position. Thus, when installed, the replacement top curfasteners, said rear curtain further being removably atitaohed adjacent its upper edge by a zipper afiixed to the aforementioned permanently attached portion of the replacement top curtain.

In addition to the foregoing portions, the replacement curtain of the present invention includes a pair of elongated flaps attached to the aforementioned valance along the sides of the plastic window insert. Said flaps are disposed in generally vertical directions about generally vertical seams or hinge points disposed closely adjacent to the aforementioned plastic curtain, and are adapted to be inserted under preexisting portions of the convertible top fabric already on the car, for example between a preexisting valance and quarter pads on the car, or between a pre-existing side quarter section and said quarter pads. These flaps render the structure water and wind proof along the sides of the curtain notwithstanding the fact that they may be readily inserted into or removed from the aforementioned adjacent portions of the convertible top fabric by simple manual manipulation.

By the arrangement thus provided, the replacement curtain of the present invention can be installed on the car merely by tacking the uppermost edge thereof to a rear "accuse-. I v

,top fabric.

. 4 completely removed from the car by the simple expedient of unfastening the aforementioned snap fasteners and unzipping the aforementioned zipper.

The foregoing advantages, construction and operation of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 represents a replacement curtain constructed in accordance with the present invention and depicted as it would appear when viewed facing the outside surface thereof.

Figure 2 represents the structure of Figure -l as viewed on the reverse side thereof.

Figure 3 is a section of the replacement curtain of the present invention, taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a section of the replacement curtain of the present invention taken on line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a replacement curtain installed on a convertible automobile as viewed from the outside of the automobile; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a replacement curtain installed on a convertible automobile as viewed from the inside of the automobile.

Referring now to Figure 1 through 4, it will be seen that a replacement curtain, constructed in accordance with the present invention, comprises a generally rectangular section of fabric 10 having a configuration generally similar to the valance of known convertible top fabrics and adapted to act as an auxiliary valance overlying or replacing a pre-existing valance on a convertible The auxiliary valance 10 includes a large, substantially rectangular, central opening 11 having a window 12 of clear plastic material stitched thereto by stitches or'seams 13. The lower edge portion of auxiliary valance 10 is of slightly curved configuration, designed to conform generally to the curved belt rail of a convertible automobile when the overall curtain is installed in place; and said lowermost portion, of auxiliary valance 10 is provided with a plurality of snap fasteners 14 spaced from one another and adapted to removably engage boot studs already existing on the belt line of the automobile.

As a practical matter, it should be noted that boot studs of the types mentioned are conventionally provided on all automobiles, but are ordinarily not employed -to ,hold a curtain in place; the lowermost portion of curtains employed heretofore being conventionally tacked to the automobile along the inner side of the belt rail in the rear thereof. The boot studs which are present on convertible automobiles are normally spaced from one-another by distances depending upon the particular bow of'the folding top structure; and once this tacking mentioned zipper can be opened, whereby the main body ofthe curtain-can be flipped into the car, with the aforementioned snap fasteners still'fastened to the aforementioned boot studs. In additiomtherear curtain can be model. automobile in quesion. However, it is conventional for automobile manufacturers to utilize substantially the same spacing on all models of car which they sell in a given year, as well as all models of said cars which they may sell for a number of years, wherefore a given spacing of snap fasteners 14 is sufiicient to permit installation of a given replacement curtain on a fairly large number of convertible automobiles of different years and models.

As a practical matter, therefore, replacement curtains of the types contemplated herein may be manufactured in a relatively few number of basic models varying essentially from one another by the spacing of snap fasteners 14 as well as by the general overall dimensions of the auxiliary valance 10 and plastic window 12; and these relatively few replacement curtain models can then be employed to replace pre-existing curtains on substantially all models and years of convertible automobiles.

The upper portion of auxiliary valance 10 has stitched thereto an elongated substantially straight zipper 15; and said zipper 15 is also attached to an elongated horizontally extending flap 16. The lower edge 17 of flap 16 most portion of the top valance.

is curved (see particularly Figure 1') to give the curtain a pleasing external aspect; andthe saidflap 16 extends over the zipper 15 so that the zipper is not visible or readily accessible from the exterior of the automobile. The uppermost portion of flap 16 comprisesa fabric edge 18 which is adapted to be tacked to a bow of the foldingtop structure whereby the onlypermanently attached portion of the replacement top curtain comprises the flap 16. It will be appreciated that in practice, flap 16 tends to shed water passing along the deck of the car over the rear window or curtain 12, wherefore no moisture can contact zipper 15 thereby substantially increasing the life of said zipper .15 and rendering the interior of the car weather-proof adjacent the top portion of the replacement curtain.

A pair of elongated flaps 19 and 20 are disposed on the inner side of the replacement curtain andare stitched to valance by vertical seams 2 1, 22 extending in substantially vertical directions. The flaps 19 and 20 are preferably formed in a double thickness of fabric, as isparticularly illustrated in Figure 4; and it will be noted that by reason of the vertical extending seams 21, 22, the fiaps 19, 20 are in effect hinged to the replacement curtain at positions closely adjacent to the vertical edges of the plastic window 12 but are otherwise free for insertion between adjacent portions of the fabric top. Flaps 19 and 20, when properly inserted into place, act to render the side portions of the replacement curtain weather-proof, and also serve to hold the side portions of auxiliary valance 10 in position closely adjacent preexisting portions of the fabric top thereby to give the overall curtain a trim and pleasing aspect when installed.

The actual mode of installation of the replacement curtain described in reference to Figure 1 through 4 will become more readily apparent by reference to Figures 5 and 6. In particular, it will be noted that a conventional convertible top fabric normally comprises a centerdeck 25 stitched along the sides thereof by seams such as 25a to side quarter sections 26 and 27. The rear edge of deck 25 is normally tacked permanently to a bow extending across the car at substantially the position indicated by numeral 28, and this same bow is normally utilized to receive tacks extending through the upper- The two tacked edges of the deck and valance are normally concealed by a decorative lace or welt 29 extending across the seam between the rear edge of the deck 25 and the upper edge of said valance.

In practice, when a replacement curtain of the type contemplated by the present invention is to be installed, the old curtain and the zipper normally extending about said old curtain, may be removed from the car, leaving the old valance in place; although it will be appreciated that the old valance may, if desired, be removed, particularly if it has so deteriorated as to be unattractive in appearance. The lace or welt 29 is then removed to expose the tacking strip normally located along the bow at the position 28, and the upper edge 18 of the fabric flap 16 is then tacked in place. The tacked edge so effected may be trimmed to conform to the curvature of the bow at location 28- and may thereafter be sealed by the application of appropriate sealing compounds normally employed in fabric top installations, whereafter the finish lace or welt 29 can be reinstalled in place.

As a practical matter, this completes all of the installation procedure and can be effected in a few minutes as compared with procedures normal heretofore which often required hours of time. To complete the closure, the window 12 may be removably attached at its upper edge to the now installed flap 16 by zipper (although it will be recognized that the installation of flap 16 can be efiected with valance 10 and Window 12 already so attached thereto); and the several snap fasteners 14 may then be snapped into place onto the boot studs 39 already existing on the car and extending about the belt rail. thereof at the .rear portion .ofthe car. This attachment of the snap fasteners 14 into place renders the lower portion of the replacement curtain weather-proof.

and the upper portion of auxiliary. valance .10 may then be grasped and pulled into the car, causing fiaps 19 and 2 0 to slide free, while the lower portion of auxiliary valance 10 is still attached to the car at the snap junctions mentioned previously. Kit is desired to completely remove the rear curtain, snaps '14 need merely be unfastened from boot studs 30.

It will be appreciated that by reason of the structure thus described, the replacement curtain of the present invention can be installed very quickly and thestructure itself can indeed be manufactured at far less expense than structures suggested heretofore. Indeed, the overall structure can be manufactured and installed at less expense than thatassociated with present replacement of the elongated curved zipper alone, mentioned previously.

The structure, when installed, gives a good closure-and weather seal in the area of the valance, and is adapted to provide a rear curtain which can be readily opened and closed as may be desired. The structure, ,as made in a relatively few standard sizes, fits substantially all convertible automobiles presently on the streets, whereby trimmers may maintain a limited inventory of the replacement curtains .of the present invention and nevertheless be able to replace curtains on a large variety of automobiles.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A rear curtain for use in a convertible, automobile top structure comprising a substantially rectangular fabric valance defining a central substantially rectangular opening covered by transparent window material, a first elongated flap extending in a substantially horizontal direction along the upper substantially horizontal edge of said valance, removable fastening means between said upper valance edge and said first flap for removably securing said flap and valance to one another, said first elongated flap defining an elongated upper edge extending in a substantially horizontal direction above the position of said fastening means and adapted to be permanently fastened to a portion of the top structure of said convertible automobile, said first elongated flap defining an elongated lower edge positioned below said fastening means on an exterior side of said valance whereby said first flap extends over and conceals said fastening means on said exterior side of said valance, second and third elongated flaps extending in substantially vertical directions along oppositely disposed substantially vertical edges of said central substantially rectangular opening, said second and third flaps overlying portions of said valance and disposed on an interior side of said valance opposite to said exterior side, said second and third flaps being adapted to removably engage fabric portions of said automobile top structure adjacent to said valance thereby to efiect weather closures along said vertical edges of said opening and window material, and a plurality of snap fasteners spaced from one another along the lower substantially horizontal edge of said valance and adapted to engage complementary fasteners on the rear body line of the said convertible automobile.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said removable fastening means comprises an elongated substantially straight zipper disposed in a substantially horizontal direction along said upper edge of said valance.

aeaneee 3. A fabric top for use on a-convertible automobile,

said automobile having a plurality of boot studs extending along thebelt line thereof at the rear of said automobile, comprising a pair of fabric side quarters extending along the sides of said car and interconnected to one another across the uppermost portion of said top by a fabric deck, said side quarters and deck defining a substantially rectangular opening at the rear of said top, and a rear curtain for closing said opening comprising an elongated flap extending across the upper portion of said rectangular opening and permanently attached to a portion of said automobile adjacent the rearmost terminus of said fabric deck, a substantlaily rectangular valance of fabric material extending across said opening between said flap and the rear belt line of said automobile, zipper means for removably fastening the upper edge of said valance to the interior side of said flap whereby said flap covers and normally conceals said zipper means as viewed from the exterior of said automobile, a plurality of snap fasteners extending across the lower edge of said valance for engagement with said boot studs whereby said valance may be completely removed from said opening by disengaging said zipper means on the upper edge thereof and said snap fasteners on the lower edge thereof, and means for effecting a weather closure adjacent the side edges of said valance between said upper and lower edge thereof comprising a pair of closure flaps attached to the interior side of said valance along lines disposed inwardly of the vertical edges of said valance and extending in spaced relation to one another from the inner side of said valance in overlying relation to portions of said valance toward said pair of fabric side quarters respectively.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said valance includes a substantially rectangular section of transparent material centrally located therein and forming a window, the lower edge of said first mentioned flap being disposed on the exterior side of said valance closely adjacent to the top edge of said window, said pair of closure flaps being attached to the interior side of said valance by elongated substantially vertical seams extending respectively along the side edges of said window, said pair .of

closure flaps extending from said seams, in said overlying relation to said portions of said valance, to positions beyond the vertical edges of said valance.

5. A replacement rear curtain adapted for installation as a replacement portion of a convertible automobile fabric top, comprising a substantially rectangular valance having an elongated zipper fastener extending along and confined in location to the upper edge of said valance, a plurality of snap fasteners spaced from one another along the lower edge of said valance, said zipper fastener and snap fasteners being adapted to engage complementary fastener structures located on portions of said top and automobile positioned respectively adjacent the upper and lower edges of said valance as installed, and a pair of elongated closure flaps hingedly attached to said valance, said closure fiaps extending along and overlying the side edges of said valance, between said upper and lower edges thereof, and adapted to overlie and to removably engage pre-existing portions of said fabric top adjacent to the side edges of said valance as installed thereby to effect separable weather closures between the side edges of said valance and said pre-existing fabric top portions.

6. The combination of claim 5 including a fabric flap extending across the top of said valance and over the exterior side of said zipper fastener for shedding water over said zipper fastener.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,162,268 White Nov. 30, 1915 r 1,894,527 Yengst Jan. 17, 1933 2,002,596 Westrope May 28, 1935 2,495,022 Robbins Jan. 17, 1950 2,564,446 Parson Aug. 14, 1951 OTHER REFERENCES 1957 Ford Car and Thunderbird Shop Manual, Form 7098.57, pages 12-44 relied on. Copyright 1956. 

